"Graduation" is the third studio album by American rapper Kanye West, released on September 11, 2007, through Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. The album was recorded between 2005 and 2007 at various studios in New York and Los Angeles. Kanye West served as the primary producer, with additional contributions from DJ Toomp and other producers. It features guest appearances from artists such as Dwele, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Mos Def, DJ Premier, and Chris Martin. The album's cover art and interior artwork were created by Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami.
The album marked a significant departure from the soul-based sound of West's previous releases, incorporating influences from stadium tours, house music, and indie rock. Graduation is characterized by its use of layered synthesizers and electronics, along with a shift in West’s approach to rapping. It explores themes of fame, media scrutiny, and personal triumph, moving away from the educational themes of West's earlier albums, The College Dropout (2004) and Late Registration (2005). West's planned fourth album, Good Ass Job, was intended to conclude the thematic arc started with these releases, but it was eventually shelved.
Graduation debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, with over 957,000 copies sold in its first week. It has sold over 7 million copies in the US and received quintuple platinum certification from the RIAA. The album's singles, including "Stronger," "Good Life," and "Homecoming," were commercially successful, with "Stronger" reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album received critical acclaim for its production and earned West his third Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, along with a nomination for Album of the Year. It was named one of the best albums of 2007 by multiple publications and has been included in various decade-end and all-time greatest albums lists by Rolling Stone and NME.
The release of Graduation coincided with the release of 50 Cent's Curtis, leading to a highly publicized sales competition between the two albums. This rivalry contributed to the end of the dominance of gangsta rap in mainstream hip-hop and helped pave the way for more diverse styles of hip-hop to achieve commercial success.
